Medium deep crimson. Developed and complex earthy/savoury/demi-glace aromas. Unctuous palate showing some raspberry/blackberry fruit flavours and some developed demi-glace/savoury notes, looseknit tannins, flavours tapering off to a dry firm finish. At the cusp of age. Needs more time to show itself. Andrew Caillard MW (Langton's, 2002).
Good wine. Lots of mid-palate and a good amount of quality tannin, though ultimately it’s not an overly persistent wine. Lots of dark berried flavour and subtle, leathery development – this will live for a long while yet. There’s a notable creosote, eucalypt-like fragrance to it and subtle notes of truffle. It’s a mid-tier wine for this label – which is a high compliment.
93 points, The Wine Front (September 2008)
A spicy rendition that has some dried mushrooms and ripe blackberries on the nose, as well as dark plums and spicy, earthy notes. The palate has ample density and depth with such impressive, smooth, fine tannin and a long, central tannin drive at the finish. Drink or hold.
93 points, JamesSuckling.com (June 2020)
The Clare Valley
The Clare Valley is located two hours north of Adelaide in the Mount Lofty ranges. The region was settled by John Horrocks who encouraged his servant James Green to plant the first vines in 1842. Climate in the Clare Valley is continental with hot summers, cold winters and low rainfall that necessitates supplementary irrigation. Soils in the valley are predominantly red brown loams over shale, permitting excellent drainage. Many of the best vineyards are located at higher elevations of 400-500m on sites that take advantage of the cool breezes that funnel up the corrugation of hills from the south. The Clare Valley is renowned for its zesty fruit-pure Rieslings particularly from the sub-regions of Polish Hill and Watervale. The region also produces intense age-worthy sturdy reds from Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.Jim Barry
Jim Barry, named after the eponymous founding wine maker, is one of the stalwart wineries of the Clare Valley. In 1959 the late Jim Barry purchased land near the township of Clare, replanting much of it to vineyard. Under the leadership of managing director Peter Barry and sons Tom and Sam Barry the brand has gone from strength to strength. Jim Barry is best known for its flagship Shiraz The Armagh, but also produces an impressive range of wines including Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from their vineyard holdings in the Clare Valley and Coonawarra.
